in
Vivo CEST Imaging Using Eu(III)-Water Molecule Exchange System

1Advanced Imaging Research Center,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA; 2Department
of Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging has
attracted considerable attention. Ln(III)-based exogenous CEST agents
(PARACEST) can be used to enhance the sensitivity of CEST imaging. As part of a
program to develop more effective agents, a newly designed
Eu(III)-DOTA-tetraamide complex was applied in vivo. The CEST effect
from this agent were somewhat smaller when the agent was dissolved in blood
plasma at body temperatures (35-39 C) compared to when it was dissolved in pure
water. No differences in CEST were observed at lower temperatures (20-27 C).
CEST contrast in liver and kidney of mouse (20%) were successfully observed
using low presaturation pulse (7T) to avoid competitive inherent MT effects.